My Academic Achievements: Inspiration of Diseases, Study of The Future Doctor

Illness, diseases, and syndromes, all these words symbolize suffering. But for me, the connotation was so different.

My illness gave me a chance to get inspired by the field of medicine. My childhood memories of unexplained minor bleedings, skin bruises, and fatigue caused frequent hospital visits and blood tests ruling out any thalassemia traits. During that time I had a great chance to experience the dedication and teamwork of medical professionals; leaving a lasting impression in my mind.

My desire to explore medicine as a career option was reinforced when my mother suffered a vertebral disc injury and how the provision of her daily care transformed me as a person. Helping her in house cleaning, carrying heavy things, and reaching top shelves were simple tasks to me, but not for her. Accompanying her at physiotherapy sessions allowed me to interact with allied medical professionals and help her to remember and perform the exercise routines. The gradual improvement brought about by the cooperative efforts of her physician and the physiotherapist was inspirational. The satisfaction that I felt from assisting her daily strengthened my decision of pursuing medicine.

To understand primary health care, I attended consultations with local GP of a wide age range of patients. Working behind the reception desk improved my communication and teamwork skills and gave me insight into the daily running of the surgery including filing, record keeping, and interacting with patients.

Volunteering for the last four years at St. John’s ambulance service helped me to gain first-hand experience of emergency services. My role has been to communicate with people, provide drinks, and stock up the first aid trolleys. Managing the school’s color run, enabled me to use my first aid skills while staying calm. I helped crying children injured by falling over in the run by diverting their attention by engaging in conversation.

Attending the dementia workshop and working as a dementia friend helped me to develop empathy and compassion by listening and talking to elderly patients. Upon reflection, I realized that simple things like smiling, chatting, and playing mindfulness games were so important in making them feel better.

Shaving my hair off for the hospice enabled me to raise money and more importantly to develop empathy and courage, and share the same feelings any cancer patient would experience by losing hair during chemotherapy.

Helping to run the over 60’s exercise club at the university’s sports department strengthened my teamwork and organizational skills. Talking to them and beingû a good listener would put smiles on their faces as they shared their health concerns. They understood the importance of maintaining good health by staying fit physically and mentally.

Leading my college basketball team and coaching young players enabled me to adopt different strategies for each ability. I was able to refine my leadership and communication skills and apply them to coaching. This was the best way to return back something to the community which I had learned at my institution.

My teamwork and organizational skills have been reinforced by working as a senior prefect. It boosted my confidence, disciplined me, and taught me how to delegate duties. I have been talking to visitors from various backgrounds on open days and answering queries while motivating students to select PE by demonstrating basketball skills. Being multilingual in Urdu, Spanish and Punjabi enabled me to communicate with parents effectively.

Being a scout and achieving the Duke of Edinburgh award have demonstrated my commitment and ability to learn. It enabled me to put my first aid skills into practice by helping injured team members during the expedition. I played a key part in raising money through cake sales and bag packing in order to help my school to buy equipment for the new sports hall.

Attending Medicine summer school, higher education and university open days enlightened me; giving me insight into the expectations associated with a medical student and motivated me to continue my efforts.

My source of relaxation is cooking and drawing. It has also enabled me to earn by selling my art drawings locally and through the customization of trainers and jeans. This has made me financially independent.

My academic achievements, work placements, and extracurricular activities have molded me into a good person but don’t make me a doctor material automatically. That will be possible through training on this course. However, I believe my life and work experiences have given me clarity regarding the likely demands of being a medical student and life as a future doctor.